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Lyncurium, Jacinth

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LYNCURIUM.                                     219
Mario2 (so called from its mulberry colour), which Pliny notes was employed for engravings in relief, "ad cetypas scalpturas aptantur." As ho makes such an observation concerning no other gem, it may be concluded that the Morio was then in great request for that purpose. This attribution is also supported by his definition of its three varieties ; the Indian, entirely dark yet translucent, called also Pramnion (after a very strong red wine) ; the Alexandrian, with which a Carbuncle colour was mingled ; and the Cyprian, verging upon the colour of the Sard. Kohler (Uber den Sard, &c.) maintains that by Morio the Romans understood the Black Sard (our Black Agate), only red and translucent by transmitted light ; but though μορμω masks, in intaglio, are frequent enough in this variety, those in relief never occur in it.
The exact nature of the Mormorio is much elucidated by the discovery made (1838) in a tomb near Kertch, by A. Tscherkow, of a female skeleton, richly adorned with her choicest jewels— a laurel crown, in massy gold, on her head ; earrings, with pen­dants, formed as Bacchic genii ; and two necklaces, with hollow gold beads : crepundia. On her fingers were eight rings, of which three were votive, to judge from their extraordinary size. One was set with a bust of Pallas, three-quarter face, her helm crested by a bird with drooping wings, in high relief, of the finest Greek work : cut on " une pierre qui ressemble au grenat le plus foncé." The second bore the same relief, but the head in front face. Both these stones are nearly two inches long—their form, a wide oval. The third had a splendid Siriam Garnet nearly as large, with an intaglio : a god leaning on a sceptre, and placing his hand on the head of a smaller figure standing on a basis. (Bull, de Γ Instituto, 1840.)
A perfect Jacinth is indeed a splendid ornament, and much superior to the best Brazilian Topaz, as having a peculiar golden lustre mixed with its rich orange ; however, it is now completely out of fashion, and consequently of but little value, such are the unreasoning mutations of taste in these matters.
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